Current Novel Writing Status: Augh!!!!!!!!!

How is the mid-way point of my novel going?

Bang head on desk. Repeat.

That’s how things are going. I have a novel that has completely taken over. It has a life all of its own and doesn’t want to die. The ending is still ten chapters away and thanks to my committed outline each chapter is growing over 7,000 words. My original goal for chapter size was between 2,000 and 3,000 words.

Push through! I keep telling myself to move forward even if the length is growing more terrifying every day.

First-time writer woes? With each chapter in a separate word document, I have no idea how long the book is. If I had to guess, I would say it’s over 80,000 words, which is about a 400-page book. And I’m not done! I still have ten chapters from Shelby’s perspective to write and then an additional eight chapters from Drew’s point of view.

What have I gotten myself into? No one is going to read a 200,000-page book! I don’t even want to read my own book if it’s that long.

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

I have considered this first book is actually two, and the second book I had in mind is actually the third. Looks like I have a trilogy. Oh my God! How did that happen? My novel grew before my eyes. I couldn’t stop it. Like a weed finding a place to grow in a sidewalk crack.

I refuse to believe I took on too much. With some organizing, I can get back on track. There is a software called Scrivener I purchased with good reviews from trusted writers. Next week I hope to sit with a writer friend and have her walk me through the process. Once I have everything uploaded I will know how many words I’m already looking at.

Have you ever seen that game involving a big jar of jelly beans and you try to guess how many are inside? That’s how I feel about my word count right now.

I will NEVER keep a separate document for each chapter again. Lesson learned, only three-quarters through my book. A late lesson is still a lesson, I will not repeat it.

Writing a book is not like being on a roller coaster. That ride has an end.